It’s 6:50pm mountain time on Friday night… We’ve been driving since 3pm yesterday from Chico (with a short few hours of sleep in Wendover, UT). My hips and back feel like we’ve been in the car for a couple days, but nothing like 20+ miles tomorrow to wake them back up. The sun is setting behind us and we are within an hour from the Durango KOA where we will be getting a good nights sleep (hopefully) before heading to the “start line” in the morning.

 

Before the 500-mile journey officially starts, I want to take time to thank the people that have made it possible.

 

To my outstanding clients back in Chico (you know who you are)… Thank you for trusting in me as your coach and for allowing me to take off from work for a month to pursue a dream. Week in and week out you each make me so proud to be your coach and your friend.

To Candace Kramer at Preference Chiropractic, John Fragoso at JS Strength and Conditioning and Tory Zellick at In Touch Bodyworks for keeping my spine/body functioning and able to make it to the point I have.

To Heidi Fearon for helping me to find my mental resilience, my “why” and the courage to embark on the journey in the first place.

To Brian Mackenzie at Unscared for giving me the tools to physically make it to this point. Your programming has given me the confidence that I can and will do this.

To Sopris CrossFit and all the participating athletes (Michelle Kinney, Becky Conzelman, Pat Burke, Emily Schromm, and Kevin Ogar) for countless hours of planning and organizing what is going to be an epic event on Oct 3^rd and 4^th.

Mobility WOD and Julie Foucher for the opportunity to share my story with your communities.

To CrossFit Steamboat for your efforts at organizing what will also be an unforgettable closure on Oct 19^th.

To each and every person who has reached out to me personally, shared my story, donated to my efforts and believed in Move Mountains, this definitely couldn’t happen without your love and support.

 

To my sponsors…

 

True Nature Kitchen for providing me nourishment during the weeks to come.

Reebok for providing me the best gear to endure 500 miles on the road.

Resiliency Project for providing me tools for sel- maintenance away from the gym and my normal routine.

PurePharma for the most pure/clean supplements on the market to keep my brain and body going strong.

J.J Lares for support and belief in a local girl living her dream.

UG Series for helping me to realize the impact one person can have on so many lives.

Paleo Nick for providing IceAge Meals for my support crew to have good healthy meals each day.

CrossFit for giving a platform to share our story on a broader spectrum than I ever imagined.

To the Epilepsy Foundation and Athletes vs Epilepsy for giving people living with epilepsy a place to go for resources and comfort and

 

And for my rocks… the people that have supported me since day 1…literally.

 

My mom, Cathy Desautels, you are the strongest, wisest, most giving woman I have ever known. Thank you for being an example to me of how a woman can be determined, powerful and graceful all at the same time.

 

My dad, Jeff LaBaw, you have taught me my whole life how to “work hard” and to do so with passion, kindness and love.

 

My brother, Luke LaBaw, I don’t even know where to start. I have literally wanted to be just like you most of my life. Your athleticism, your sense of humor, your loyalty and gosh darn-it your good looks (ha!)… I’ve definitely surpassed you on the looks side of things, but still aspiring to be like you in so many ways. Thank you for being my protector and my best friend growing up.

 

And finally, my boyfriend, Marcus Brown… in the last 8 years my life has been rich with adventure, laughter and love with you. You make me feel like I can do anything, that we can do anything together. You believe in me and challenge me like no one every has. I am better with you by my side! To begin one of the most monumental events of my life with you next to me, holding my hand and cheering me on is so surreal.

 

We’re really doing it… tomorrow begins the first day of my dream come true. Together we WILL Move Mountains!